hvac · 1500W typical
Running a space heater costs about $55.69/month.
That's the typical space heater at 1500W, run 10 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A space heater draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 7.5 effective hours at 1500W across your 10-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same space heater can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
all day
$55.69
per month
running from morning until bedtime during a cold snap
evening only
$22.28
per month
warming a living room for a few hours each evening
overnight
$44.55
per month
running through the night in a drafty bedroom
Where you live
$100.91 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $139.05 | $1,691.78 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $105.98 | $1,289.36 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $103.95 | $1,264.73 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $96.86 | $1,178.49 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $94.16 | $1,145.64 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $83.03 | $1,010.14 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $82.01 | $997.82 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $75.26 | $915.69 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $74.59 | $907.48 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $72.56 | $882.84 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $65.14 | $792.51 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $64.46 | $784.29 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $62.10 | $755.55 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $61.09 | $743.23 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $60.08 | $730.91 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $58.72 | $714.49 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $58.05 | $706.28 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $57.04 | $693.96 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $56.03 | $681.64 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $55.01 | $669.32 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $53.33 | $648.79 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $52.99 | $644.68 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $52.65 | $640.57 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $51.97 | $632.36 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $51.30 | $624.15 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $51.30 | $624.15 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $50.96 | $620.04 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $49.95 | $607.73 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $49.95 | $607.73 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $49.61 | $603.62 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $49.61 | $603.62 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $49.28 | $599.51 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $47.93 | $583.09 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $47.59 | $578.98 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $46.91 | $570.77 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $45.90 | $558.45 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $45.23 | $550.24 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $44.89 | $546.13 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $44.55 | $542.03 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $44.21 | $537.92 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $44.21 | $537.92 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $42.86 | $521.49 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $41.85 | $509.18 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $41.18 | $500.96 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $40.84 | $496.86 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $40.84 | $496.86 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $40.16 | $488.64 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $39.15 | $476.33 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $38.81 | $472.22 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $38.48 | $468.11 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $38.14 | $464.01 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $338.77/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
750W
$27.84 per month
$338.77 per year
Typical
1500W
$55.69 per month
$677.53 per year
High draw
1500W
$55.69 per month
$677.53 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Usage concentrates Nov-Mar; peaks during cold snaps and heating-oil price spikes.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Zone heating: lower central thermostat 5°F and heat only occupied rooms
Can cut total winter heating cost 20-30%
- 2
Use a smart plug with schedule to prevent accidental all-day running
Reduces wasted runtime by 40% for most households
- 3
Choose 750W setting unless the room is genuinely cold
Cuts hourly cost in half
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Vornado | MVH | 1500W |
| De'Longhi | EW7707CM | 1500W |
| Dr. Infrared | DR968 | 1500W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-12